Please Kill Me - Chapter 61
Perhaps the reduced activity of the monsters during the daytime played a role as well. Regardless of the reason, it was a fortunate development.
Yekaterina easily dodged the monster’s attack with a light step back and leapt into action the moment the monster lunged again.
Her robe and silver hair billowed in the wind as she launched herself. Then she changed trajectory mid-air by kicking off a tree and landing on the monster’s back, where she deeply embedded the daggers into its shoulders.
The monster writhed in pain, but it was not yet time to retreat.
To completely kill a corporeal monster, one must destroy the core hidden within its body. Naturally, the larger the monster, the bigger the core, but also the harder it is to find. Thus, the task was simple: sever the tendons and strike at vital points to render the monster incapable of movement.
Yekaterina exerted light force, pulling the embedded daggers along and creating a deep gash. The monster’s struggles intensified, but its movements on the foot Yekaterina had injured noticeably decreased.
‘I’m sick of monster slaughter.’
Yekaterina was proficient with all weapons. She could wield a mace, use a three-section staff, and handling a longsword or spear was without question. Yet, her preference for two daggers was simple.
The shorter range, the more it required precision, and paired with quick assault tactics, there was no more effective weapon.
This approach was especially effective against monsters much larger than her.
‘First, cause them to lose balance.’
Yekaterina leaped forward and severed the monster’s tail, followed by the tendons, muscles, and joints connecting the limbs to the torso. Her movements were without any superfluous actions and flowed seamlessly.
As she switched targets in mid-air, her daggers carved through the monster repeatedly.
Moreover, Yekaterina did not forget to wake up the knights trapped in illusions by the monster as she fought.
After incapacitating the monster and awakening a few knights, it was Vasiliy’s turn. The monster, sensing its end, lunged with desperation, but it was merely the thrashing of a crushed worm.
Without even a death cry, the monster fell, its heavy mass sending a ripple through the ground. With the forest regaining some of its peace, Yekaterina realized that the person in front of her had come to his senses.
‘This monster was about to kill that knight,’ Yekaterina’s gaze settled on the survivor.
“Congratulations on becoming a better person, Vasiliy Arkady.”
“…Yekaterina.”
His face, perhaps still haunted by the horrors of the illusion he had witnessed, had an unshaken despair. Naturally, having returned from death’s doorstep would give him such an expression.
“What’s this place, how did you…”
“Is how I arrived here really what matters now?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Your men are over there. Make sure you gather them and leave. There might be another high-grade monster around.”
“But I can’t just leave you here alone—”
“You’re in the way.”
With those cold words, Yekaterina turned away. Her action of sheathing her dagger, cold words, seemed heartless.
Despite the harshness, there was neither reason to explain nor a want to hear thanks. Confirming Vasiliy’s survival was enough.
Her next task was to check for any other high-grade monsters. While higher-grade mental monsters typically don’t inhabit areas near other powerful monsters, Yekaterina intended to scout the entire hunting ground just to be sure.
‘But…’
She felt exhausted. Having not slept or eaten properly, moving non-stop since dawn, it was natural for her body to feel the weight. Others might consider resting or planning for another day, but such concepts were not in Yekaterina’s diary. She watched Vasiliy hesitantly gather his men and leave, then pulled her robe over her head, preparing to turn away when suddenly—
“Yekaterina, you were here.”
A familiar voice reached her. A voice that should not have been heard in this place. Slowly, Yekaterina turned toward the source of the sound.
“…Leonid?”
Standing amidst the chaotic forest was unmistakably Leonid. Because of this Yekaterina was uncharacteristically slightly taken aback. She knew that by morning her absence would be noticed, and it wouldn’t be too difficult to guess where she had gone.
She understands that she wouldn’t be able to stay away for long, but to be discovered so soon?
“I’ve been looking for you for a while. What exactly are you doing here?”
“Hunting monsters. What brings you here, given your injuries?”
“I came to look for you. What other reason could there be?”
“You should have sent someone.”
“And who could handle you, if I sent them?”
Leonid’s laugh, though hollow, ended with a hint of a genuine smile. She had noticed that whenever she spoke, he would give that laugh.
But at some point, she realized it began to carry a trace of sincerity.
